Angelina Jolie: A Comprehensive Biography
Full Name: Angelina Jolie Voight
Date of Birth: June 4, 1975
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
Parents: Jon Voight (father), Marcheline Bertrand (mother)
Children: Maddox Chivan, Pax Thien, Zahara Marley, Shiloh Nouvel, Knox Léon, Vivienne Marcheline
Occupation: Actress, Filmmaker, Humanitarian
Notable Awards: Academy Award, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards
Early Life and Background
Angelina Jolie was born into a family with deep roots in the entertainment industry. Her father, Jon Voight, is an Academy Award-winning actor, and her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was also an actress. Jolie’s parents separated when she was young, and she was primarily raised by her mother. This familial environment influenced her early interest in acting.
Jolie attended Beverly Hills High School, where she felt like an outsider among the children of Hollywood elite. She later studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and briefly attended New York University.
Acting Career
Jolie’s acting career began with modest roles in films like “Cyborg 2” (1993) and “Hackers” (1995). Her breakthrough came with the biographical film “Gia” (1998), where she portrayed supermodel Gia Carangi, earning critical acclaim and her first Golden Globe Award.
Major Films and Roles:
- “Girl, Interrupted” (1999): Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Lisa Rowe.
- “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001): This role as the video game heroine solidified her as a major action star.
- “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005): Co-starring with Brad Pitt, this film was both a commercial success and the beginning of her high-profile relationship with Pitt.
- “Changeling” (2008): Jolie received another Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Christine Collins.
- “Maleficent” (2014): Jolie played the titular role, offering a nuanced take on the classic Disney villain.
Directing and Producing
Jolie expanded her career into directing and producing, with notable projects including:
- “In the Land of Blood and Honey” (2011): A war drama set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War.
- “Unbroken” (2014): A biographical war film about Olympic athlete and World War II hero Louis Zamperini.
- “First They Killed My Father” (2017): A historical thriller based on a memoir of a Cambodian child soldier.
Humanitarian Work
Beyond her film career, Jolie is known for her extensive humanitarian efforts. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Her work focuses on issues such as refugee rights, education, and the prevention of sexual violence in conflict zones.
Humanitarian Achievements:
- Jolie has traveled to more than 30 countries on behalf of the UNHCR.
- In 2012, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- She co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) in 2012.
Personal Life
Jolie’s personal life has often been the subject of media scrutiny. She has been married three times:
- Jonny Lee Miller (1996-1999)
- Billy Bob Thornton (2000-2003)
- Brad Pitt (2014-2016, separated in 2016)
Jolie has six children, three of whom were adopted internationally. Her relationships, particularly with Brad Pitt, garnered significant media attention, especially during their highly publicized separation and custody battles.
Health and Advocacy
Jolie has been open about her health challenges, including her preventative double mastectomy in 2013 after discovering she carried a gene that increased her risk for breast and ovarian cancer. This decision and her subsequent public discussions on the matter have raised awareness about genetic testing and preventive health measures.
Legacy and Influence
Angelina Jolie remains one of Hollywood’s most influential figures, known for her versatile acting skills, impactful humanitarian work, and candidness about personal issues. Her contributions to cinema and society continue to inspire many worldwide.
